Policy Thinking: Youth

1
Policy Thinking Youth Conflict Africa

• Dr Nicole R Goldin
• Senior Advisor
• Mark Hannafin
• Deputy Executive Secretary

2
Why a USAID Policy on Youth?

• Mission Demand
• Largest generation in history
• Dynamics of the Youth period

3
Conflict Lens in (forthcoming) USAID Youth Policy

• Policy is global, but relevance and applicability
  is contextual.
• Knowledge-based, but cognizant of evidence gaps
• Protection elements and considerations
• Inclusion and application in context and
  principles

4
Context

• Youth Bulge vs. Demographic Dividend
• Perpetrators and Victims
• Distorted Transitions
• Who are youth?

5
Principles
6
Overall trends in donor policy-making

• New Deal for Engagement in fragile states,
  increased focus on aid effectiveness and
  demonstrating results.
• WDR 2011 security, justice, jobs
• USAID Policy Framework specific objective
• There is a greater focus on security issues and
  increased donor funding to fragile contexts.
• There is a renewed donor focus on inclusive and
  agriculture-driven economic growth
• Risk taking and do no harm increasing
  innovation and experimentation

7
Youth-Conflict Awareness at USAID

• Analysis is crucial Conflict and youth analyses
  provides a stronger understanding as to how youth
  fit into the social construct
• Myth-busting Youth bulges do not lead
  inexorably to conflict, however create special
  challenges and opportunities to societies.
• Sustainable impact beyond peace building
  activities Localized youth engagement and
  training adds value, however absent structural
  policy reform are not enough to prevent conflict
  or achieve peace
• Formal and informal education for youth Relevant
  and market-linked vocational and skills training
  provides greater focus on local economic recovery
  with youth among the key target groups.
• Gender recognition focusing on the specific
  needs of adolescent girls and ensuring their
  participationboth to realize their rights and
  because of the catalytic effect this can have on
  their families and communities.

8
Conflict in Africa Some Youth Approaches

• Côte dIvoire Transition initiative program a
  blend of media, communications, reconciliation
• Somalia Mobile phone technology for workforce
  development linking labor markets, trainings
  through SMS
• Morocco Countering violent extremism engaging
  youth in prisons on soft skills development and
  mentoring
• Youth Map and Youth Innovation Fund linking
  analysis to grant opportunities for immediate
  impact